Opustená (re)kreácia

KURSALON /SPA HALL

KURSALON (SPA HALL)

Bohuslav Fuchs, 1935

The outdoor swimming pool
Zelená Žaba is not the only building in Trenčianske Teplice designed by the
architect Bohuslav Fuchs, who comes from Brno. The Kursalon (Spa Hall), originally built
in Moor style during the second half of the 19th century, is adding
a touch of oriental romanticism to the end of spa promenade. As the Kursalon had been gradually losing its meaning in 1930´s, it was necessary to adapt
its construction to new forms of entertainment and social relaxation. The
building of the Kursalon had been struck by destructive fire in the past. The new
construction by Bohuslav Fuchs was supposed to replace the old building step by
step and become a new representative centre of the spa life. Nowadays,
only a small torso has been retained from the previously planned great
concepts. When looked at from the entrance – composition axis, the new building
seems quite moderate, despite its characteristic features: round windows and
peculiarly rounded ledge. Nevertheless, it harmonizes with the original Kursalon.
The really striking view appears from the former sanatorium Lipa, from where
the left frontage shows its typically modernist modelling. A new dimension
is added to the social importance of the building by an offset part with
vertical column segmentation. The main purpose of the building is to
accommodate the cinema Prameň and exhibition space, located on the first floor
of the frontal part. Porches were a natural continuation to the gallery
area. The cinema entrance is accompanied by the jewel of the building –
a pseudo-strip window of showcases, which might have informed spa guests
about the film offer. Finally, the back facade facing the spa park is
interesting, as well. It is dominated by a pair of round windows in the
‘ship’ aesthetics style, a pure form, which made every building modern and
lyric in the 1930’s. The corner window on the third floor and the pedestrian
triumphal arc create a balanced composition. Still, a visitor has an
opportunity to enjoy the film projection offer and become acquainted with the
interior, which serves its original intent despite the changes.